Kayaking in Patagonia: Where to enjoy Kayak in Patagonia?
Kayaking in Patagonia: Where to enjoy Kayak in Patagonia?
The kayaking is a wonderful activity beloved for many travelers around the world. The activity let you be in straight contact with the nature. And Patagonia is a fantastic place to enjoy kayaking. A place with lakes, fjords, mountains and rivers. A perfect place to explore the incredible landscapes from the water. From the lakes district, to southern fjords, Patagonia will let you enjoy the kayaking activity. Let´s talk about some of the most amazing experiences of kayaking in Patagonia.
What is the the kayaking?
Kayaking is a great activity using a kayak for moving over water. It is distinguished from canoeing by the sitting position of the paddler and the number of blades on the paddle. And what is a Kayak? Well, a kayak is a low-to-the-water, canoe-like boat in which the paddler sits facing forward, legs in front, using a double-bladed paddle to pull front-to-back on one side and then the other in rotation. Most kayaks have closed decks, although sit-on-top and inflatable kayaks are growing in popularity as well. Let´s find best places in Patagonia to enjoy kayaking!
Kayaking in Patagonia: Amazing experiences in the Lakes District
Bariloche, San Martin de los Andes, Villa La Angostura in Argentina and also Puerto Varas, Pucon, Puerto Montt in Chile are great places to enjoy kayaking. It´s the famous Lakes District in the northern portion of Patagonia. Where you can enjoy kayaking in this area? Find some great options:
Kayaking in Patagonia: Bariloche
Bariloche and its surroundings present a great variety of lakes and rivers ideal for practicing this sport, with different levels of difficulty: from flat waters to the most challenging rapids (class 5), which will allow those who are just starting to make progress. gradual. The kayak can be practiced by children and adults, since it does not require a special skill, although the use of specific techniques is essential. For this reason, it is necessary to start small (in calm waters) in order to follow an orderly learning process. Once the basic skills are acquired, the possibilities are endless, both for the descent of rivers and for the disciplines of slalom and rodeo or free-style. Sailing in duckies, or inflatable kayaks, is, among the activities related to rowing, the one that experienced the greatest growth worldwide in recent years. This is because it is an extremely stable boat and easy to learn to handle. Guided excursions can be made along the Manso and Limay rivers.
Another great place to enjoy the kayaking activity in the lakes district, but crossing the Andes in Chile, is Puerto Varas. About 15 km from Puerto Varas is Laguna La Poza, you can enjoy a great activity. We will navigate about 5 km through a 25 meter wide channel that gently turns into a narrow tunnel where we will pass under vegetation made up of weeping willows and other native species. This tunnel is accessible only by canoes or kayaks and will take us to the Laguna Escondida. Ideal place for bird watching, such as the Martin Pescador, Chucao and various herons, very quiet and recommended to enjoy with the family or as a first experience. We will return through the same channel and then sail to Lake Llanquihue.
A second option is the kayaking to the Reloncavà Fjord, sailing between the towns of Ralún and Cochamó (or vice-versa) for 18 km. At lunchtime we will stop at a country house where we will share with its people and their autonomous way of life. During our tour we will observe the snowy Andes Mountains, especially the Yates volcano. Perhaps we will be lucky enough to observe dolphins, dolphins and sea lions that live in this sector. We will see migrating pelagic birds such as penguins, swallows, pelicans, petrels, etc. We will visit Cochamó, a fishing village
Kayaking in Patagonia: Peninsula Valdes
And Peninsula Valdes is a perfect place to combine the visit to the incredible sealife you can see in the area, with whales, penguins, sea lions, elephant seals, birds, etc, and the kayaking activity. For example, the kayaking with sea lions is an amazing experience you can enjoy in the area. This unique kayak expedition with sea lions, mix the adventure and excitement of sailing in a sea kayak, together with a very serious interpretation of the natural environment in which this activity takes place.
Together with our specialized guides, you will row in a sea kayak, in the waters of the New Gulf, making different stops to observe and interpret the fauna, flora and geography of the place.
It is an expedition of very low physical demand, which makes this one of the most chosen, by those who have no previous experience. It is a recommended expedition, to be carried out as a family and for all those who little by little want to dabble in the Sea Kayak activity. The activity takes place in the southern area of ​​Puerto Madryn (or to be agreed due to weather conditions).
Over the years, the waters of the lake (the second largest in South America) have eroded the coastal scarps, creating these formations that include caverns and islets. Its waters have glacial origin and are surrounded by mountains belonging to the Andes mountain range. It drains into Lake Bertrand, which in turn does so by creating one of the largest and most beautiful rivers that exist: the Baker River.
Near the lake you can do various activities and very interesting visits, sush as visit the Laguna San Rafael National Park, and visit its spectacular glacier, do an Ice Trekking on the ice of the Exploradores Glacier, get to know beautiful towns such as Puerto RÃo Tranquilo, Chile Chico or Puerto Guadal, and of course, visit the Marble Chapels.
Kayaking here is a truly unique experience. Being able to connect with nature, in a lake as incredible as General Carrera Lake, to run into the Marble Cathedral is a MUST for nature lovers, who will love Patagonia. We will meet in Mansa Bay, 5 km south of the town, we will start with a technical talk security and we will begin the navigation paddling around 20 minutes to the Chapel and then the Marble Cathedral. The kayak will give us the freedom to paddle through caves and small places within the massif, including an incredible tunnel, providing autonomy and independence to photograph and enjoy this beautiful place. Once the activity is finished, we will return to BahÃa Mansa to later return to the town of Puerto Tranquilo.
It is extremely important that participants follow the guide’s instructions at all times and maintain appropriate behaviors that do not alter the course of the activity. We have declared the following conditions of time, itinerary, physical capacity in the field and experience, for the optimal realization of the excursion
Kayaking in Patagonia: Perito Moreno Glacier
Unique activity in the world where Kayaking is carried out among Icebergs within Los Glaciares National Park. The experience of kayaking in front of the Perito Moreno Glacier is unique, allowing you to navigate between icebergs and visit the north wall of this glacier like never before.
If you hire the excursion with transfer from your hotel in El Calafate, we will pick you up at 7:30 AM and we will take you to the Perito Moreno walkways from where you can contemplate the glacier for 2 hours. Then, they will go to the meeting point and the guides will take them to the dome located in front of the beach where they will be provided with all the technical equipment (Gore-Tex dry suit, thermal suit, boots, gloves and life jacket) and will explain the techniques paddling and safety. The guides specialized in kayaking aim to create an unrepeatable experience.
After warm-up exercises, the kayak trip begins, being able to observe majestic icebergs, a few centimeters away, almost accessible with the hands. An experience to witness the smallness of man in front of nature and that will never be forgotten. After approximately 1.5 hours of paddling, you return to the beach and the dome to have a snack, and there we will tell you how to have the photos of the day that are included. Finally, we return to the city of El Calafate at 5:00 p.m. after having lived a one-of-a-kind experience in front of this famous glacier.
At 11:30 a.m. the kayak guide will be waiting for you at the Lake, who will give you a talk about paddling technique, the route to be taken and the safety measures during the activity will be described. At noon, and once in the water, the paddling begins towards BahÃa Tranquila, which takes approximately 40 minutes and in which some stops are made to rest, appreciate the views of the Huemul and Vespignani glaciers and chat about of the Lake and its environment.
Another amazing option is to enjoy kayak in the Rio de las Vueltas, in El Chalten. The RÃo de las vueltas starts at Lago del Desierto and, as its name indicates, descends towards Lake Viedma, making numerous curves through lush forests of lengas and vertical walls. It is one of the most important rivers in the area, as it carries the water produced by the melting of glaciers.
From our privileged position in the kayak and for 10 kilometers we will be able to enjoy the best views of Fitz Roy and its satellite spiers, with a totally different perspective than that which can be observed from a path. Enjoy with us this unique and unforgettable experience.
The activity start 10.30 am, with a transfer to the Laguna Cóndor Refuge, located 20 kilometers north of the town and on the banks of the RÃo de las Vueltas. Once there, our guide will carry out the briefing of the activity, at the same time that he will help us with the testing of the equipment and the placement of the safety elements (suits, neoprene boots and gloves, life jacket and helmet). Then we go over some useful techniques and do a rowing practice at Laguna Cóndor.
When we arrive at Bonanza, we can use the changing tables to put on our dry clothes that the transport will have brought to the place. After enjoying coffee with a snack, we will return to El Chalten, after a 1:30 hour kayaking activity.
Kayaking in Patagonia: Torres del Paine
For lovers of trekking and nature, who are doing the W circuit or the O circuit of Torres del Paine, a great alternative is to add kayaking to the Gray Glacier, within the national park. For this activity we will meet at the starting time at the Bigfoot Base Camp, located on the northeast shore of Gray Lake. And once there, we will begin with a brief introductory talk, in which our guide will explain the route and the times of the activity, and then give us the complete kayak equipment (wetsuit, waterproof jacket and boots, kayak gloves, skirt, vest and life jacket).
Once equipped, we will paddle around large floating icebergs, and then head towards the eastern arm of the Gray Glacier, approaching the giant ice walls to contemplate them and enjoy a spectacular setting. If the weather conditions allow it, we will pass through the spectacular Nunatak Island on the way back to the Bigfoot Base Camp, where our guide will offer us a snack and a hot drink to finish the activity.
Kayaking in Patagonia: Ushuaia & the Beagle Channel
Another great place to enjoy Kayaking is Ushuaia, and the amazing experience to the Gable Island. Nature and history make the Beagle Channel one of the best destinations in the world for sea kayak trips. And also one of the most interesting. To the east of Ushuaia, a vast area brings us closer to the southern end of the Atlantic and to the time when the Yámana, the nomads of the sea, rowed daily in this remote part of the planet. In this full-day excursion, we will move away from the city through the Fuegian forest, along Route J. An hour and a half of travel will be enough to feel the freedom of having reached a point before history and civilization. This remote area offers great possibilities of finding flocks of seabirds and, a little more randomly but very frequently, sea lions.
The beautiful and enormous presence of Gable Island, along with other small neighboring islands, make a spectacular setting for sea kayaking activity. After a technical and safety talk, we deliver all the necessary equipment to enjoy the experience. The estimated net paddling time is more than four hours, along an irregular coastline, with bays and peninsulas. In the beautiful and huge Gable Island we will disembark for lunch and for a short walk, before embarking to continue the journey.
Visiting Patagonia? Check our complete list of tours to visit Patagonia
We have different options to visit the amazing Patagonia. Check the following list of Patagonia Tours, including Peninsula Valdes, Bariloche and the Lakes District, Perito Moreno Glacier, Torres del Paine, El Chalten and Ushuaia.
